The Evolution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK, 1913-2003 is an
empirical study of the establishment and development of the Ahmadi community in the
UK over ninety years. So far research on Muslims in the UK has to a great extent been
focused on Muslims of South Asian origin and Sunni Islam. This study broadens
understanding of Muslims in the UK by considering a largely overlooked Muslim minority,
the Ahmadiyya, who are an unorthodox reform movement in Islam, founded by Mirza
Ghulam Ahmad as a response to the prevailing political, economic and social position of
Muslims in Punjab at the end of the 19th century. The Ahmadiyya, being a missionaryoriented
movement, began propagating their beliefs in the UK in 1913 and have since
established themselves in 87 locations.
This thesis explores the various ways in which the community has become established in
the UK: how the acquisition and retaining of members has contributed to consolidating the
community internally as a united entity; how the creation of Ahmadiyya physical space has
contributed to establishing the community in British society in general as well as in specific
localities; and how the maintenance of links to the worldwide Ahmadiyya movement has
contributed to establishing the UK community as part of that worldwide phenomenon. It
argues that although the establishment of the Ahmadiyya community had broad similarities
with the general trends associated with the development of the overall Muslim community,
there have been significant differences stemming from it being an extension of the
worldwide Ahmadiyya movement situated in the UK context. Their sectarian beliefs, and
consequent persecution, their missionary ethos, organisational structure, leadership
arrangements, political processes, migratory patterns, the make-up of their membership and
their links with the worldwide movement have shaped how the community has acquired
members, maintained internal unity and established a permanent and visible physical
presence in the country.